Giants add Kontos to bullpen, drop Edlefsen

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants called up reliever George Kontos from Triple-A Fresno on Saturday, optioning reliever Steve Edlefsen to the Grizzlies.

"George has been throwing the ball well down there the last five outings," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's looked good. He's gone two innings a couple times."

Kontos was acquired from the Yankees before the season for backup catcher Chris Stewart. Kontos had a 2-0 record and a 1.71 ERA in 31 2/3 innings in 23 appearances for Fresno this season.

Edlefsen leaves the Giants with a 4.70 ERA in 15 1/3 innings. The right-hander gave up a walk-off home run to Logan Forsythe in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Padres.

Sandoval returns, on notice for weight

SAN FRANCISCO -- Pablo Sandoval returned from the disabled list Saturday, going 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the Giants' 5-2 win against the Rangers.

Sandoval had been sidelined since fracturing a bone in his left wrist on May 2 and having surgery to have the bone removed. He started at third base Saturday and batted No. 3 in the lineup, getting an ovation from the fans in his first inning at-bat.

"When you have fans supporting you like that, it's exciting for me," Sandoval said.

After three straight popups, Sandoval smacked a ball up the middle for a single in the seventh inning, pumping his first as he approached first base.

"He was a little anxious there at the plate early," manager Bruce Bochy said. "That's usually the case when a guy comes back: He's a little antsy, a little anxious."

Sandoval's return to the Giants lineup also means that Bochy is satisfied with the third baseman's conditioning -- for now.

"He's worked hard and he's getting it done, but that has to be consistent," Bochy said before Saturday's game. "That can't be for three, four days or a week. It's got to be for a season. That's what he needs to do and that's what we want to see."

Sandoval has had issues with his weight for most of his career, culminating in a 2010 season in which he batted .268 -- 62 points lower than his .330 average in '09.

He lost a reported 38 pounds before the 2011 season and was an All-Star selection for the first time, but has again struggled with his conditioning, especially as he was rehabbing his injured wrist.

Bochy's concerns were heard loud and clear by Sandoval, who reiterated his respect for Bochy as a manager after Saturday's game.

"That's what I need to do, and I need work hard to get in shape," Sandoval said.

The biggest concern with his conditioning is in regard to his ability to play third base, and Bochy said moving Sandoval to first base is not in the Giants' best interest.

"We'll consider it, but we have enough first basemen right now," Bochy said. "Right now, he's more important to us at third base."

Sandoval returns to a Giants lineup that is in need of more power hitting, especially with outfielder Melky Cabrera currently sidelined with a sore right hamstring.

"It's good to have Pablo back," Bochy said before Saturday's game. "He was swinging the bat well before he got hurt, and he's another big bat in the lineup. It's added power, which we've been lacking. Not just home runs, but doubles."

Melky gets more time off to rest hamstring

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants sat out Melky Cabrera in Saturday's game against the Rangers with a sore hamstring, and manager Bruce Bochy said the outfielder could be out the rest of the series and return Tuesday against the Astros.

"There's a good chance of that, but he can show up tomorrow and be ready to go," Bochy said before Saturday's game. "It's up to how much progress he makes in this next day."

Cabrera injured his right hamstring Thursday while stealing second base in the seventh inning of an 8-3 win against the Padres.

"We'll keep checking on him and he'll get treatment, and that'll continue through today's game and through tomorrow," Bochy said.

Bochy said Cabrera could be available to pinch-hit in emergency situations, but he is wary of rushing the National League's current batting average leader back.

"As much as you'd like to have him out there, you don't want to have any setbacks and lose him for any extended periods," Bochy said.

Jay Lee is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.